Monster Jam is coming to town. But it's not just Monster Jam as you know it. Monster Jam Triple Threat, Monster Jam's arena tour, is hitting Orlando for the first time on Saturday, August 18! You won't want to miss this adrenaline-charged, high-flying, four-wheel excitement and you won't even have to worry about the weather. If you've never been to Monster Jam, trust me, you will be entertained. See you at the Amway Center on 8/18? Don't miss this special deal: Save $5 off select seats for Monster Jam Triple Threat at the Amway Center … [Read more...]
Doing a Weekend in DC
I visited DC last summer for the first time since I was a kid. It was my birthday weekend, which also happened to be July 4th weekend so it was a great time to visit our nation's capital. Hellooo fireworks. We didn't plan too many things but rather improvised most of the trip. With all the Smithsonians to choose from, we weren't worried about running out of things to do. Based on that experience, here are the things you can't miss while in DC. Sunsets on the National Mall They're everything. The sunset was spectacular from the … [Read more...]
Faith in Curls Curly Haircut Experience
If you're curly headed like me, you know the struggle of finding a stylist who loves styling curls. To our disadvantage, most stylists love to straighten and process hair. It's their craft. Society doesn't necessarily help either by suggesting you need "sleek" hair to look "polished." It's so important to have a stylist who not only knows how to style your hair type but who also encourages you to properly care for it. In other words, just hit up Faith in Curls. Jarely is truly passionate about helping people celebrate their naturally … [Read more...]
Orlando Curly Hair Stylist Directory
I love encouraging naturally curly-haired ladies to embrace their curls and quit straightening their hair. A huge part of being able to rock your curls with confidence is to have a skilled naturally curly hair stylist to coach you through the process. You can look up do's and don'ts for curly hair online but there's nothing like walking into a salon and working with someone who understands your hair and what it takes to make them the best they can be. I know just about every curly girl has a haircut horror story and I want to help you … [Read more...]
Riding to Monster Energy Supercross
You've heard me talk about Monster Jam, which I got to check out last year but this year I'm trying something new. Instead of four ginormous tires, we're going with two way smaller tires - motorcycles! Monster Energy Supercross, the premier motorcycle racing event featuring the world's top riders, rides into Raymond James Stadium in Tampa on February 24, 2018, and if you know me at all, you know racing is in my blood. I'm excited to check this event out next week and with tickets starting at just $20, you can't beat it. Thinking about … [Read more...]
Dos & Don’ts for Naturally Curly Hair
I'm so happy to see the natural hair movement that has emerged in recent years. I'll be honest. For years I thought I needed to "tame" my hair in ordered to be perceived as a "professional." But now that I'm over society's nonsense, I'm focused on making my curls as healthy as can be. Too many people give up on their curls and convince themselves they are too difficult to manage. The truth is that if you treat them well, they will behave. Promise. Pics or it didn't happen? Well... My curly hair journey has been one full of trial and … [Read more...]
The Secret to Backpack-Only Travel
When I tell my friends I only bring a backpack on most of my trips, they look at me like I'm crazy. Granted, I'm not one to wear a full face of makeup or blow dry my hair every day (or ever, really ...) but I've seen girls who do successfully backpack it for trips. Trust me, it's possible! I know you probably love your stuff and you probably want your grams to be picture perfect but do you want to lug your giant suitcase around on cobblestone, on crowded trains/buses or when you're sprinting to avoid missing your connecting flight? I don't … [Read more...]
7 Gift Ideas for Travelers
Travelers are a funny bunch. They often treasure experiences over things and raggedy souvenirs over the latest shiny object. This can make coming up with gift ideas for travelers a little difficult. But one of the items in this post might stick out to you as the perfect gift for the beloved traveler in your life. At least I hope so! Disclosure: Affiliate links are included in this post. I may receive commission from any purchases made! Portable Charger(s) Because dead phones have no place during an adventure. A portable charger (or … [Read more...]
I’m Flying to Europe for $300. Here’s How …
The number one travel goal I told myself I'd reach this year is seeing the northern lights (aka Aurora Borealis). I thought for sure I'd be going to Iceland to see them but a $300 RT flight from Orlando to Oslo convinced me to chase them in Norway instead. Cheap flights aren't that hard to find if you're using the right tools and you can probably find a flight to your dream destination for cheaper than you think. If you're wondering how I found such a cheap transatlantic flight or how I find cheap flights in general, the answer is Google … [Read more...]
Showing Off Shoulders with Planet Fitness
The weather is getting warmer and warmer, which means it's time for shorts, tanks and flip flops. Or maybe those cute off-the-shoulder blouses everyone seems to be wearing these days. If you're feeling a little self-conscious or not quite ready to don summer's fashion trends, it's not too late to hit the gym and tone up. I was recently invited to Planet Fitness to work with a trainer on a program to tone my shoulders a.k.a. one of my favorite areas to work on. Disclosure: I was invited for a free session to help promote Planet … [Read more...]
5 Must-See Things in Costa Rica
Last March, I booked a flight to Costa Rica (my first Central American country) with the intent of attending a yoga and surf retreat. Due to unforeseen circumstances, the retreat was canceled and I was left wondering what to do with a flight to Costa Rica. For the following few months, I was seesawing between traveling solo or simply not going. I had traveled solo before but for some reason was not a huge fan of the idea this time around. Amidst a tumultuous summer, I finally decided in late June that I would explore Costa Rica on my own - I … [Read more...]
Monster Jam Hits Orlando
If you're looking to try something new with your family, get your tickets to Monster Jam Orlando! My family has always been into motorsports - I've been going to the racetrack my entire life - and Monster Jam was right up our alley. I seriously didn't expect to be as impressed as I was with the event. Disclosure: In exchange for a review of Monster Jam, I received complimentary tickets to Monster Jam in Tampa. Opinions expressed are absolutely my own. My favorite part of the show was the Freestyle portion during which drivers did … [Read more...]
5 Ways to Make the Most of Short-Term Travel
So you have a laundry list of destinations you just need to visit, but only have ~2 weeks of vacation time per year to make it happen? Unfortunately, this is the situation in which most of us who are kissed by wanderlust find ourselves. However, that shouldn't discourage you. There are several ways you can make the most of short-term travel; you'll just need to be as efficient as possible with time. Long Weekends Are Your Friend Who doesn't love a nice weekend getaway? Weekend trips are nicest when you're able to extend them by taking an … [Read more...]
Odd Times at Ripley’s Believe It Or Not Orlando
If you read my St. Augustine Weekend Trip post, you already know that I consider myself a "bad Floridian" sometimes because of all the places I have yet to visit although I've lived in Orlando for two decades. Ripley's Believe It Or Not was on that list of places I hadn't visited until recently. Lucky for me, Ripley's Orlando gave me tickets in exchange for my review of its "Odd-itorium." I have to be honest, I expected it to be interesting more than weird. But boy, was it WEIRD! Despite being interestingly weird, Ripley's … [Read more...]
Florida Girls Weekend | Exploring St. Augustine via Bicycle
Confession: I suffer from a severe case of wanderlust. (Did you know the word has a German origin?! Quite relevant to me... ha!) I am constantly searching for ways to travel as much as possible while balancing the rest of my life (read: career, wellness, marriage, dog lol). Fortunately for me, I live in Central Florida and the area is a treasure trove of adventure. But although I've lived here for a long, long time, I feel that I haven't been the best at exploring near home. I'm making it my mission to change that. While St. Augustine … [Read more...]
